Korongo Airlines, subsidiary of Belgian company Brussels Airlines, has decided to cease its activities, due to low profitability and high competition. 

The announcement was made by the shareholders of the company, launched in 2012 by Brussels Airlines and Belgian businessman Georges Forrest, after an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on 4^th September in Lubumbashi. “The decision was taken to cease the airline’s flight operations and start the process which will lead to the liquidation of the firm”, announced Brussels Airlines, in a press note.

According to the Belgian company, Korongo “unfortunately could not reach a sufficient level of profitability due to a lack of critical mass”. The company was only operating a Boeing 737, against three aircraft previously. This one remaining aeroplane was seriously damaged two weeks ago because of a maintenance problem on the Mbuji Mayi runway, county town of the Kasaï Oriental province (Centre).

Moreover, the decision of the Congolese government to create a new national airline company, Congo Airways, seen as a direct competitor to Korongo Airlines, pushed the investors to give up.

Brussels Airlines however stresses that with 20 African routes, Africa and more importantly DR Congo, still occupy a vital place for the company, with Brussels Airlines maintaining one daily connection between Kinshasa and Brussels.